Clip for attaching a corner cladding to a vehicle

Abstract

A clip ( 10 ) mounts a corner cladding panel ( 14 ) to a body structure ( 16 ). The clip has a body ( 18 ) having a tab ( 20 ) extending in a longitudinal direction. An attachment fixture ( 22 ) extends from the body in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The clip ( 10 ) is attachable to the body structure in the orthogonal direction and positions the clip ( 10 ) to receive the corner cladding panel ( 14 ) in the longitudinal direction. The body has a pin ( 24 ) extending in the orthogonal direction that maintains an orientation of the clip ( 10 ) to receive the cladding in the direction of application. The clip ( 10 ) has a ridge ( 28 ) positioned to snappingly engage the cladding panel ( 14 ) to maintain engagement therebetween.

1. A clip for mounting a cladding panel to a vehicle body structure, said clip comprising:
 a body having a tab extending therefrom defining a longitudinal direction, and having an attachment fixture extending therefrom defining a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal direction,  
 whereby said attachment fixture is adapted to attach said clip to the body structure in the orthogonal direction and positions the clip for said tab to receive and attach the cladding panel in the longitudinal direction; and  
 said body further comprises a pin extending therefrom in the generally orthogonal direction, said pin being attachable to the body structure to maintain an orientation of said clip relative thereto.  
 
   
   
     2. A clip as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said tab further includes a ridge positioned to snappingly engage the cladding panel to maintain engagement therebetween. 
   
   
     3. A clip as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said tab is elongate, extending longitudinally between a near end attached to said body adjacent said attachment fixture and a distal end. 
   
   
     4. A clip as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said body is configured to be relatively more rigid than said tab. 
   
   
     5. A method of attaching a cladding panel to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 providing a cladding panel having a first face and a second face, said second face generally orthogonal to said first face, said first face having a fastener and said second face having a bridge structure;  
 providing at least one aperture in a first surface of said vehicle and at least one aperture on a second, surface of the vehicle, said first surface generally orthogonal to said second surface;  
 attaching a clip to said second surface, said clip comprising a body having a tab extending in a longitudinal direction with said body, and an attachment fixture extending from the body in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, said clip being attached by inserting said attachment fixture into said aperture in said second surface; and  
 applying the cladding panel to the vehicle by inserting the tab through the bridge structure and moving the cladding panel in the longitudinal direction, engaging the fastener to said aperture in said first surface.  
 
   
   
     6. A method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said clip has a detent and said applying step includes moving said cladding panel in the longitudinal direction until the cladding panel snappingly engages said clip. 
   
   
     7. A method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said second surface is provided with an orienting aperture spaced from said at least one aperture and said clip has a pin; said attaching step including inserting said pin into said orienting aperture, thereby maintaining a predetermined orientation of said clip relative to said vehicle enabling the cladding panel to be attached to the vehicle by movement in a single direction. 
   
   
     8. In combination,
 a corner cladding having a first face and a second face, said second face generally orthogonal to said first face, said second face having a bridge structure,  
 a first fastener mounted on said first face, and  
 a clip comprising a body having a tab extending in a longitudinal direction, said body having an attachment fixture extending therefrom in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, whereby said clip is attachable to a vehicle body structure in the orthogonal direction and positions the clip to slidably receive the bridge structure of the cladding panel in the longitudinal direction.  
 
   
   
     9. A combination as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said body further comprises a pin extending in the generally orthogonal direction, said pin being attachable to the vehicle body structure to maintain an orientation of said clip relative thereto. 
   
   
     10. A combination as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said clip further includes a ridge positioned to snappingly engage said bridge structure to maintain engagement therebetween.